By Alesha Capone
A CHILDREN’S foster placement co-ordinator says there is a critical shortage of carers in the north west.
Josh Fergeus from the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare said there were hundreds of children aged zero to 17 who needed foster care.
His organisation refers inquiries from people who want to become foster carers to organisations like the Salvation Army.
“The north west is one of the busiest areas for foster care in the state and we really need people to put their hands up,” Mr Fergeus said. This includes the areas of Whittlesea, Wyndham, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton and Hume.
While 13 per cent of people volunteering to become foster carers this year in the north west region came from Brimbank and 22 per cent from Wyndham, the other municipalities’ rates were not so high.
“Melton had four per cent of inquiries this year. That’s quite low, only six or so, and not all of them will go on to become foster carers,” Mr Fergeus said.
“Only three per cent came from Hobsons Bay so that’s a massive need there,” he said.
Five per cent of foster care volunteers come from Maribyrnong, six per cent from Hume and four per cent from Whittlesea.
“At the moment, girls over the age of 12 and boys over the age of eight, nine are the most difficult to place, siblings as well,” Mr Fergeus said.
Anyone who wants to help out can contact the Fostercare Hotline on 1800 013 088.
